Modern Humanism

Biblical Christianity

Philosophical Foundations

Graco-Roman literature; Renaissance & Enlightenment teachings. Atheistic. Oriented only toward physical and temporal reality.

Biblical literature: Teachings of Jesus and Apostles. Theistic & transcendental. Oriented to physical & spiritual; to temporal & eternal reality.

Ideology

Recognizes sovereignty and superiority of Man. Collectivistic. Requires freedom from Divine revelation. Constantly becoming - always fluctuating. Cultivates the sensual. In quest of the new and untried. Affirms secularism and religious neutrality, yet generally acts with anti-Christian bias in all cultural contexts. Tends economically and politically toward socialism.

Recognizes sovereignty, superiority and excellence of God. Individualistic. Requires freedom in context of Christian ethics. Always stable. Cultivates personal righteousness. In quest of the old paths of the tried and true. Denies religious neutrality while promoting Christian perspective in all cultural contexts. Tends economically and politically toward capitalism.

Values

Operates on a credit economy. Extols youth. Dishonors marriage. Sanctions divorce. Exalts civil authority. Hates children. Exploits nature.

Operates on a cash economy. Respects the elderly. Honors marriage. Hates divorce. Exalts parental authority. Adores children. Conserves nature.

One’s judgment about other people is in relation to their wealth, power, position, fame, personal achievements, etc.

One’s judgment about other people is in relation to their standing with God, family, community, personal service, etc.

Selfish. Esteems self above all else. Emphasis is on personal affluence and personal peace. Are generally stingy toward the needy.

Denies Self. Esteems others better than self. Emphasis is on service to God and fellow-man Are generally generous toward the needy.

Desires

Content with mediocrity. Through politics, modern humanism pushes a social agenda to improve community. Seeks personal wealth, pleasure, fame, and power.

Strives for excellence. Through religion, Christianity pushes a salvation agenda to improve community. Seeks God’s glory through doing excellent in all things.

Considers pleasure a goal to be sought in life.

Considers pleasure a result of right living.

Media: Art - Paintings, Sculpture, Architecture, etc.

Assumes artistic genius of the artist. Often used as means of rebellion against God. Seeks self-glorification. Art is valued for its creativity and independent spirit. Artists and intellectuals generally feel alienated from their own country.

Assumes artistic endowment from God. Often used as a means of glorifying God. Seeks to honor God through excellence in craftsmanship. Art is valued primarily for its function and beauty. Artists generally identify with their country.

Media: Literature - Books, Journalism, Radio, etc.

Without absolutes, optimism often comes from non-reason. This blurs distinctions between objectivity and subjectivity in journalism.

With absolutes, optimism is based on faith and reason, which produce firm foundations for objectivity.

Media: Theater - Drama, Movies, Television, etc.

Themes are often nihilistic and pessimistic. The evil nature of the human spirit is emphasized. Ignores, distorts and blasphemes Christianity.

Themes are generally optimistic, showing hope and both good and evil in the human spirit. Honors Christianity.

Media: Music – Popular, Rock & Roll, Country & Western, Classical, etc.

Music presents a fragmented sense of reality that originated by chance which leads to absurdity. Appeals to man’s base physical nature.

Music presents a diverse yet harmonious sense of reality which leads to resolution. Appeals to man’s righteous spiritual nature.

Results:

Secular culture produces despair and meaninglessness to life.

Theistic culture produces purpose and meaningfulness to life.